Pearl, MS - The Mississippi Braves are proud to announce on Saturday, March 31st former Atlanta Braves Ryan Klesko, Greg McMichael, and Otis Nixon will make a special appearance during the M-Braves Inaugural Fan Fest at Trustmark Park from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. During the Fan Fest event, each former Atlanta Braves player will be available to sign autographs at approximately 3:00 PM.

The Fan Fest event will be free of charge, and the Braves will provide free food, free drinks, and will set up the Fun Zone inflatables for children, which will also be free of charge. Additionally, the Atlanta Braves spring training game will be shown on the video board and live music from the Voltage Brothers Band and other various artists will be performing live beginning at 2:00 PM.

The Braves will have various games and contests for fans to enjoy as well as multiple prizes available to win. Guided tours of the ballpark will take place allowing fans to check out the home and visiting clubhouse, suites, dugout, and more. The Extra Innings Team Store will also be open allowing fans to grab their choice of new 2012 Braves merchandise.

The Mississippi Braves Ticket Office will be open and M-Braves sales staff will be on site during the event to help you pick your perfect seat location for season tickets, mini ticket plans, and your individual game tickets.

Biographical InformationRyan Klesko, Greg McMichael, and Otis Nixon

Ryan Klesko, former first baseman and left fielder of the Atlanta Braves, was drafted by the Braves in the fifth round of the 1989 draft and spent six years in the Minor Leagues before his first Major League appearance in 1992. This includes spending 1991 with the AA-Greenville Braves. Klesko spent eight years with Atlanta until 1999 when he was part of a three man trade to the Padres. However, during his time with the A-Braves, Klesko was ranked four times by Baseball America as an all-time top 100 prospect.

Right handed pitcher Greg McMichael originally signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1988 and was released by the organization on April 4, 1991. Just eight days later, the free agent inked a deal with the Atlanta Braves and eventually broke into the Major Leagues on April 12, 1993. For the next eight seasons, McMichael would spend time with the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Oakland A's before once again signing as a free agent with the Braves in March of 2000.

Otis Nixon was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1st round (3rd overall) of the 1979 amateur draft. In 1983, Nixon broke into the Major Leagues for the Yankees as a centerfielder and was traded one year later to the Cleveland Indians. After Cleveland, he spent the next three seasons with the Montreal Expos before making his mark with the Atlanta Braves. For the next three years, Nixon would prove useful to the Braves, with one of his best years being in 1991 where he batted .297 with 10 doubles, 1 triple, and 26 RBIs. Then in 1994, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox and went on to spend time with the Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Minnesota Twins. In October of 1999, Nixon finally returned to Atlanta to spend his final baseball season with the Braves until being granted Free Agency in October of that same year.

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The Mississippi Braves open the 2012 season on Thursday, April 5th, at Trustmark Park against the Mobile BayBears. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM. Tickets start as low as $6 and can be purchased at Trustmark Park, the Mississippi Coliseum, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.mississippibraves.com or by phone at 601-932-8788. Fans can also call Ticketmaster to place their orders at 601-355-5252.

For more information, please contact the Mississippi Braves at 888-BRAVES4 or 601-932-8788.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.